Japan Intervenes Verbally as Yen Hits 34-Year Low

• Japan's finance minister warns ready to take action on foreign exchange market if needed • Yen hits fresh 34-year low of 154.45 against dollar after stronger than expected US retail sales • Minister stops short of "bold action" threat he used last month when yen neared 152 • Strong verbal interventions or market action would put Japan in spotlight amid international agreements • Difference in US and Japanese interest rates and yields makes it harder for Japan to argue yen out of line